In the days before strike matches, flint stones were the most common means of starting a fire. Those with miserly inclinations used these stones until they were as thin as a layer of skin. From that we get the term “skinflint,” which in common usage refers to those who just won’t spend.

“I’m too much of a skinflint to buy new shoes, despite the fact that my soles are worn out.”

Quack

The word “quack” is a derivative of the older term “quacksalver.” “Salver” refers to a medicine with no real curative properties, and “quack,” to the charlatan pushing them on unsuspecting patients. In Dutch, the term literally means a bragger who applies a salve. In modern conversation, we use the shortened version “quack.”

“In the 19th century, there were more quacks than fully qualified doctors.”

Cheeseparing

When most of the usable cheese on a wheel is gone, a cheeseparer would continue to shave away at the rind rather than start a new piece. Just like a skinflint, he is unwilling to spend.

“My wife told me that she was sick of my cheeseparing ways.”

Around the Horn

While “around the horn” is a popular phrase in the game of baseball, its actual origin most likely refers to Cape Horn, the southern-most tip of South America. Before the 20th century, rounding Cape Horn was the only way that ships in the Atlantic could reach the Pacific. Such passage is a dangerous feat even today due to the rough waters in this region, but it’s largely unnecessary thanks to the Panama Canal, which cuts the trip in half. In modern usage, the phrase refers to taking the long way in a journey.

“Rather than going all the way around the horn, we should take the freeway.”

You can hook up a computer to your TV set if you have the right cables and connections such as a DVI to HDMI cable. If you own a flat screen HDTV, you may already have a DVI input for a computer cable, which allows your TV to act as a big computer monitor.With a wireless keyword and mouse, you can type and surf the Web from across the room. But this isn’t always the best solution because it requires your computer to be close to your TV for the cables to reach. The good news is there are several devices on the market made specifically to bring video content on your computer or the Internet to the big screen.

Here are some of the most popular devices:

WD TV Live and WD TV Live Plus ($99 – $119)

This small box might not look like much, but in addition to streaming music and photos to your TV, it is actually one of the first devices to be built primarily for playing high-definition video files on your HDTV. It is also known for its ability to play virtually any video file format that can be stored on a computer or hard drive. If you have home movies on your computer that came from a camcorder, this box allows you to stream those videos across your network no matter what file format the videos are in. You can also stream music from your music library or photos from your computer.

If you want to connect to a wireless network, you’ll need to purchase a separate wireless adapter. (You can find compatible wireless devices on their website at wdc.com Streaming HD content on a wireless signal can sometimes be choppy, so you’ll want to make sure you have a fast wireless connection (802.11N is recommended).

No computer network? No problem. The WD TV Live can be used with a portable USB hard drive, or a USB “thumb” drive that you can hook up your drive directly to the USB connection on the back of this box and play videos right off of the drive. For some people, this is easier because you can copy the music, photos, or video files you want to your portable USB hard drive and then connect it directly to the WD TV.

The WD TV Live comes with a remote control to navigate through the interface. You can connect to YouTube, Live365, and Pandora to stream Internet music and video. The “Plus” version of the WD TV is identical to the original version, but also allows you to connect to Netflix and watch movies you have stored on your “Instant Watch” queue.

Apple TV ($229)

The Apple TV was one of the first devices to play content from the computer on the television; there are rumors that a new version will be out this fall. The Apple TV allows you to stream all of your photos, music, and HD video content (up to 720p) to your television from a computer on the same network. To use the Apple TV, you will need to store your music and videos on iTunes on any PC or Mac running on your network. The Apple TV is unique because not only can you watch content you purchase or rent on your computer, you can also download new content directly to the device. It comes with a remote to navigate through the stylish, easy-to-use interface.

The Apple TV has connections for both an HDTV and a Standard Definition television. Although you can listen to Internet radio on your Apple TV and watch YouTube, you can’t listen to third-party services such as Pandora or Live 365. Also, you can’t watch movies off of Netflix and you are limited to watching video file formats made specifically for iTunes. A 160 GB drive is available inside the device; however, connecting an external portable USB hard drive is not an option.

Netgear Digital Entertainer Live ($99.99)

The Digital Entertainer Live also allows you to connect to a home network or to attach USB hard drives to play music, photos and video content in a large variety of file formats. HD content is not the Digital Entertainer Live’s specialty, but you can also purchase and download On Demand movies to the device if you have a Roxio account and stream movies from the VuNow service.

Netgear DE Live has two USB connections, so you can connect more than one USB drive. Connections are available for both HDTVs and older Analog TVs. If you want to connect to a wireless network, you’ll need to purchase a separate wireless adapter. A remote control is included with the device to navigate on-screen menus.
There are many other devices coming out later this year, including many built with Google TV. These new options may offer a variety of set-top boxes and TVs with the ability to connect directly to your computer network. Keep checking back for new product reviews as these devices become available.

Carriages and bicycle rickshaws supplement taxis. (photos by Jane Durrell)

This lovely, long, alligator-shaped island that curves just below Key West is off-limits to citizens of the U.S. unless they choose to slip in by way of Mexico or Canada or—legitimately—as a member of a humanitarian mission. Our group was the latter, which brought our luggage near the weight limit as each of us carried ten to 15 pounds of medical supplies, school supplies, and other items not easily available there.

Europeans are frequent visitors, and tourism is important income to a nation that saw its support evaporate when the Soviet Union collapsed. Cuba still struggles to make ends meet. Because so few travelers come from the U.S., those who do are welcomed with great warmth. Cubans are outgoing and hospitable and intensely interested in the large country that is a near but not easy reach.

Old Havana

Europeans vacation here for good reason. The countryside is green and beautiful and the cities we saw full of life and splendid architecture. In the

A luxurious building facade in Old Havana, Cuba. (file photo)

centuries since Columbus first set foot on this island, money has been made—often lots of it—and frequently spent on handsome architectural details and facades.

The Old Havana section of the capital city has been cannily restored to delight visitors, meanwhile leaving the residents in place. No gentrification here; facades are brought back to their 18th century fine form, but tenements remain behind them. The residents, though, have jobs in tourist-related businesses fostered by the attractions of Old Havana’s colonnaded squares. The streets—sometimes pedestrian only—are clean of litter and frequently bordered by outdoor restaurants.

Creating jobs is high priority in a socialist country, and an extreme example could be found in the woman selling tiny bottles outside a perfume store, as the store itself supplies only perfume, no bottles.

Trinidad de Cuba

We also visited Trinidad de Cuba, on the southern coast, once the thriving center of the sugar cane industry, and there enjoyed watching salsa dancers at an out-of-doors, every-night gathering spot. A cobblestone street goes up a hill, becomes cobblestone steps, stretches out as a terrace with the band at one side, and continues up the hill as steps to another terrace, all this filling up with people as evening begins. The dancers are limber, informal locals out for a good time, and terrific to watch.

Food and shopping—Cuban style

Two things every travel story should touch on: food and shopping. We ate very well indeed, often at our hotels but also in paladares—family-run

A pedestrian street with a sidewalk cafe.

restaurants in the owners’ own homes. It’s a cuisine that goes way beyond rice and beans. Cuban breads, in particular, are varied and delicious.

Outdoor craft markets are full of attractive things, but my own surprise purchase was shower curtains. Havana’s Museo de Bellas Artes shop had an art-inspired design that hangs in my bathroom now. You never know what you might bring home.

When you go

Best months to visit: December to April, after hurricane season and before the heat of summer.

Money: Locals spend pesos, but visitors must spend CUCs (so-called convertible currency) with a double charge for American dollars (One CUC costs $1.20; euros and Canadian dollars have much lower rate). American credit cards are of no use; bring cash to convert.

Lonely Planet’s 2009 edition of Cuba is an excellent source for everything you need to know.

Today, the word’s current usage refers to nothing as extreme as that of Camp Douglas, but it does seem to imply consequences if one does not have an assignment or project completed on time.

“I have to get this story in on deadline, or there will be trouble.”

Time to Circle the Wagons

Life in the prairies of the American territories was dangerous in the 19th century. Native Americans angry over military and civilian encroachment often sent out parties to scout the surrounding areas. For those traveling through these regions, the prime mode of defense was to form a circle with their wagons before an attack. This would create a makeshift fortification and provide some cover from arrows and small arms fire. Of course, this was all well and good so long as you had advance warning of an attack, thus giving you time to circle the wagons and corral the horses.
In its modern context, the phrase refers to the time necessary to create some sort of defense, for instance, legal.

“He received a notice that he would appear before a Congressional committee. He needed time to circle the wagons in preparations.”

Behind the Curve/Ahead of the Curve

It probably goes without saying that “behind the curve” is not where a person wants to be. This refers to the probability curve (or normal distribution curve) created by Carl Friedrich Gauss. The bell curve, at its peak, represents the mean or average. The area to the left of the peak (behind the curve) is below average; to the right (ahead of the curve), above average.

If you’re behind the curve, you’re not keeping up with the class or your job, and if you’re ahead of it, you’re doing quite well.

“Our team’s performance this year was behind the curve compared to the rest of those in professional baseball.”

“She may be a new employee, but she is certainly ahead of the curve in terms of job performance.”

(Get) Gypped

Particularly throughout the 1800s, people characterized Gypsies as a group inclined to swindling and thievery. In fact, so popular was the notion that it gave rise to the pejorative term “gypped,” meaning that one was cheated or ripped off.
“I paid a lot of money for this stereo, and already it doesn’t work. I think I’ve been gypped.”

Choosing the right laptop is a game of balancing different available features, and really depends on how you want to use it. Many laptops (or netbooks) are designed primarily for basic word processing, surfing the Web, and checking e-mail. Some laptops have increased memory and graphics processing for watching high-definition movies and playing games. Here are some features to look for:

RAM (more memory = more applications open at once)
RAM (short for Random Access Memory) is most commonly referred to as computer memory. The more memory you have the more programs you can have open at one time and it won’t slow you down. Look for laptops that have a minimum of 2GB (gigabyte) of RAM, but if you are watching HD movies or playing games, opt for a minimum of 4GB of RAM.

Hard drive (storage)
The bigger your hard drive, the more files you can store. Most laptops come with 250GB to 500GB; these sizes work for most people. If you plan on recording video footage from a video camera onto your laptop, or if you have a really large music collection, you may want to go with the larger hard drive sizes.

Processor
The processor (or CPU) is the brain of the computer, and the faster your processor, the faster your computer can do anything and everything. Look for computers that have “dual core” (sometimes called Core 2 Duo) processors, meaning they can handle double the processing power in one chip.

Screen size
Most laptops come in screen sizes ranging from 12 inches to 20 inches. Finding the right balance of portability and screen size is important, since a larger screen size usually means a heavier laptop. It also means an increase in price and drain on battery life. However, the larger screen size is essential for those who love to watch movies or play games. The most common screen sizes are 15 inches and 17 inches. My advice is to go to a local store and view the laptop screen in bright lighting conditions. Many screens have a glare on them that can be frustrating for some users.

Battery life
Battery life is important if you want to carry the laptop with you without having to worry about keeping it plugged in for charging. For some, battery life is not such a big deal because they keep their laptop in one place and plugged in. Look for battery life that can last at least six to eight hours. Many newer laptops offer increased battery performance at a lighter weight.

Back-lit keyboard
Back-lit keyboards are great because they allow you to see the keys much easier. Not all laptops offer this, but it’s definitely a feature you want if you plan to take your laptop with you on travel.

Now that you have a better understanding of what features to look for, let’s explore some of the popular laptops on the market.

Apple MacBook Pro
The Macbook Pro is one of the hottest growing and most popular laptops due to its rugged design, fast processor, back-lit keyboard, and excellent graphics and battery life. The Macbook Pro is available in a 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch screen size. Unlike other PC laptops, which typically come with Windows 8 preloaded, the Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro operate the Apple OSX operating system. This operating system is different if you are used to Windows, but it’s still easy to use and even easier to learn. Many people prefer it over Windows.  If you have an Apple store nearby, you can even sign up for free training classes.

Gateway NV791u $599
This laptop is comparable to a desktop computer in terms of performance and offers the CoreI3 processor (lowest end of the new Intel processor line). It displays widescreen video but is not a full 16:9 resolution HD video resolution. The buttons have a plastic feel, and it’s not an ideal choice for gamers, nor does it offer a Blu-ray drive. But the large 17-inch screen is a good value for the money.

Sony Vai VPCZ116GX/S (13 inch) $2300
This laptop is very thin, very light, very fast, and also features a back-lit keyboard. It has a sturdy but lightweight design, and high resolution screen. You can also press a switch to either improve graphics or preserve battery life. The graphic display is one of the best on the market and is great for those who play games or watch a lot of videos; however, battery life is only three hours.

Asus Eee PC 1005PR $399
This is a netbook PC with high performance graphics and a ten-inch screen. It’s a good laptop to watch video on because of its HD video accelerator chip, but it’s not great for playing high-definition video games. If you are looking for something lightweight that can also handle HD video, this is one of the few netbooks available that can do video well.

Toshiba Satellite E205 $999
This laptop is one of the first to offer Intel wireless display video streaming technology which allows you to stream video from your laptop to your television with the purchase of additional accessories. The processor is a corei5 mobile processor which makes it super fast, and it also features a back-lit keyboard.

A perfect life

Author Rosecrans Baldwin. (Photo by Susie Post Rust)

As Victor attempts to piece together Sara’s impressions, he must confront the fact that the relationship he saw as rock solid was, in fact, on shaky ground, at least from Sara’s perspective. He begins to question everything in his life, including his work and his fractured relationships with colleagues, friends, and family.

As a child, Victor was teased for being too perfect and, as an adult, Victor’s life appears to be in perfect order. His work is both satisfying and respected. He has a standing Friday night date with his burlesque-loving girlfriend, Regina. He spars with his late wife’s cantankerous aunt, Betsy. He helps his modern hippie goddaughter, Cornelia, land a job at a top local restaurant. He offers advice to his super-achieving coworker, Lucy.

‘Alzheimer’s of emotions’

But when the women in his life start to demand more from him, it becomes clear how detached Victor really is. During one particularly insightful exchange, Regina accuses him of having “Alzheimer’s of the emotions.” Soon, Victor’s inability to connect with people, his emotions, and his past takes its toll. Not until practically everything he starts out with is ravaged does Victor confront his grief.

“How different were people anyway except for the memories we carried?” Victor asks himself early in the novel. While the themes Baldwin explores in his first novel are both weighty and melancholy, the book is neither. The supporting characters are quirky, offering a nice contrast to Victor’s ennui. Set on an island off the coast of Maine, You Lost Me There is a great end of summer or early fall read—light enough to enjoy on the beach but substantial enough to keep you thinking as the cool breezes of autumn sweep in.

The Glass Castle (Scribner, 2005)

Sandwiched between these two nomadic nonconformists were the Walls children—three girls and a boy—bonded together by a fierce love and a cunning instinct to survive.

And a shared secret. There are dysfunctional families, they learned early on. And then there’s the Walls family.

Poverty and hardship

Lurching from town to town in Arizona, often one step ahead of the authorities (“Time to skedaddle,” Jeannette’s dad would announce), they eventually landed across country in the Appalachian Mountains. There the kids took care of one another and became skilled at finding odd jobs to put food on the table. They slept in cardboard boxes, sometimes the car, or under the stars. Jeannette fished other kids’ discarded lunches out of the trash at school and, during the winter, lingered as long as she could in the heated classroom.

Through it all, the family had one unspoken rule: They were always supposed to pretend their life was one long and incredibly fun adventure.

Once grown, they escaped, one by one, to New York City for a saner life. Even then, their parents followed, eventually joining other squatters in an abandoned building in the Lower East Side. “Being homeless is an adventure,” Jeannette’s mom explained.

Jeannette Walls writes with a clear and honest pen, holding nothing back. Her storytelling is poignant, frequently hilarious, and without a shred of self-pity—which makes this chronicle of growing up in the Walls family truly unique and impossible to put down.

George Washington on Leadership (Basic Books, 2008)

This common thread of being first required both drive and vision, qualities that make Washington a favorite subject of author Richard Brookhiser, whose latest work, George Washington on Leadership, explores his rise to greatness.

Why Washington?

Brookhiser begins with a simple question: Why should we consider George Washington’s leadership over 200 years after the fact? In a nutshell, it’s because there’s no one else like him today.

Throughout his life, Washington was acutely aware of his strengths and weaknesses. Often the tallest man in the room, his physique alone commanded attention. But what he possessed in stature, he lacked in verbal eloquence.

Unlike his colleagues Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who attended college and devoured books on every subject, Washington had read but a handful of volumes, some of them little more than rudimentary guides to etiquette.

Even so, out of Brookhiser’s deft analysis comes the unmistakable image of a born leader—one who possessed an eye for talent, was wise enough to employ that talent, and even wiser to heed the counsel it provided. In short, Washington understood that he didn’t know everything and that thinking otherwise could only result in problems.

Learning as he led

When men disagreed, he listened. When they betrayed him, he never forgot. Being first meant that Washington had to learn and lead as he went along.

There had never been an American Army when he took command of the Continental forces in 1775. Nor did he have the luxury of a 200-year backlog of failures and successes when he became president in 1789.

On top of this, Washington had to deal with daily problems, other people, and himself (the only person he couldn’t fire). This was a man who believed it was important to sweat the small stuff—seemingly minor details like the digging of latrines, which ultimately addressed the bigger matter of sanitation and the health of his soldiers throughout the Revolutionary War.

Leaders today who have the benefit of precedent can learn much from Washington, someone who had none at all. This is, perhaps, the most important thing readers will take away from Brookhiser’s book, for what he offers is far from the god-like figure frozen stiff in Gilbert Stuart’s portrait.

Washington was a living, breathing human being, and one admired as much for his handling of personal weakness as he was for his strengths. That’s what made him great. That’s why he was first.

We commonly use this phrase in reference to anyone who runs an effective and well-organized operation. 

“This office was in complete disarray before our new boss took over, but things have since changed. She runs a tight ship.”

Hair of the dog (that bit you)

Hundreds of years ago—long before medical science took hold—people believed that one could cure the effects of a rabid dog bite using that dog’s hair as an antidote. While this proved about as useful as bleeding, the phrase itself endures today, not as a remedy for dog bites, but for hangovers. The morning after a long night of heavy drinking, a smaller dose of booze might help take the edge off of an aching head or stomach. In essence, it’s the hair of the dog that bit you. 

“We were out all night barhopping, so this morning, it took a little hair of the dog to get me going.”

Through the ringer

The electric washer was a big move forward after years of scraping clothes against a washboard. Once a load of wash was finished, however, you had to ring them out before you hung them to dry. To do this, you would put each article of clothing through a set of rubber rollers that pressed out the excess water. 

But the advent of electrically powered rollers brought a new danger. They could seriously injure an operator if her fingers got caught between them. In modern conversation, we allude to this pressing action in reference to stressful situations.

“The chairman put him through the ringer during the meeting.”

Shyster (Scheuster)

Scheuster was a New York lawyer in the 1840s well known for quibbling over insignificant details and other obstructive behavior in court. His reputation survives today and refers to other attorneys guilty of unscrupulous conduct. The word commonly appears as “shyster.”

“The prosecuting attorney thought he had an iron-clad case, but a shyster lawyer was able to cast doubt.”

What types of electronics can I travel with?

You can travel with laptops, just make sure you remove it from your bag when it's time to go through security. (File photo)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not have any prohibited electronic devices on its list of prohibited travel items for carry on. It’s fairly common for most travelers these days to have several electronic devices in both pockets and in carry-on baggage. These include cell phones, portable music devices such as iPods, portable gaming systems, netbooks, and laptop computers. As long as these devices are packed properly and guidelines are followed for security screenings, there shouldn’t be any problems traveling with these items.

If there is any question about whether or not there may be concern, it’s always best to pack these items in your checked bags. For example, while traveling recently, I purchased an electronic wine opener. Inside the opener was a sharp corkscrew which electronically twists to open a bottle of wine. I thought it might raise some concern since the corkscrew has a sharp point, so I packed it in my carry-on just in case.  I also noticed signs at one airport indicating that video game consoles such as the Xbox and Wii could not be carried on.  For confirmation on larger items like these, it’s a good idea to call your local airport or airline ahead of time. To check the latest travel guidelines, visit the TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov.

Why do I have to take my laptop out of the bag at security?

Sometimes, certain electronics like netbooks, laptops, and other equipment will need to be removed from your bag and placed in a plastic container before going on the screening belt. The TSA frequently passes laptops through a separate x-ray machine and uses specialized tools to confirm there are no hidden explosives or detonating devices in them.

Can airport security x-ray machines damage my electronics?

X-ray machines shouldn't harm your gadgets, but keep digital cameras and other electronics away from the magnetic hand-held wands the TSA uses. (File photo)

When entering through security at your airport, you’ll be asked to place all electronics on the screening belts for x-ray. But is it really safe to put digital cameras, computers, portable gaming systems, cell phones, and other electronics through x-ray machines?

There is no evidence that x-ray screening machines cause any damage to computer and electronic components. However, even though the x-ray doesn’t cause any damage, magnetic exposure to equipment can. This is especially true for digital cameras whose lenses can be affected by magnetic rays. Therefore, even if you could carry your digital camera with you instead of placing it on the belt, you’d be better off keeping it far away from the magnetic hand-held wands the TSA staff uses when you walk through security.

The TSA warns on its website that traditional undeveloped film can be damaged in the x-ray machines scanning checked luggage and recommends you bring film in your carry-on bag. Although safe for smaller x-ray machines, film should be packed separately in a plastic bag, then removed from your carry on at the security checkpoint where it can be manually inspected by the TSA staff. Digital media cards such as SD and cards in your digital camera or cell phones are not affected by x-ray screenings. If you’re still concerned, you can always ask that these devices be screened manually.  Regardless, it’s always a good idea to back up important photos and data off any devices before you travel.